Course Overview

Course summary

This ambitious and interdisciplinary course offers practice and study in image-making applied principally within illustration but also in a range of creative design and communication contexts from animation to commercial installation. Our premise is that within contemporary visual practice the boundaries between art, design and illustration have merged, this in part is due to digital technologies but also the cultural merging of disciplines within the visual and performing arts.

New creatives can find themselves working on initiatives that require a range of skills, are multi-contextual, multi-media and increasingly involve collaboration with others. Within this context the course offers an in-depth, reflective and process led approach to image-making and image media.

Drawing is an enduring and central course activity in giving form to imaginative and conceptual thought, and as a means to understand in depth aesthetical, conceptual and expressive strategies in image-making and pictorial design. The course is delivered using a project framework designed to replicate the type and range of briefs anticipated in an industrial setting. Projects also provide a context and creative challenge, they make demands that stretch your understanding and encourage a ‘what if’ approach to visual problem-solving. Projects are both set and self-defined and can be developed in a range of media process - animation, moving image, digital imaging, printmaking, photography, painting, mixed media, three-dimensional design.

We encourage involvement in the creative industries. You will have the opportunity to participate in major student competitions, external exhibitions, industry initiatives as well as internships and study abroad exchange. In the final year of study a rigorous professional practice programme helps you prepare for employment and our alumni work in a wide variety of occupations that include illustration, animation, film, television, art direction and project management, advertising, publishing and authorial practice, concept art and computer games. Some students continue study at post-graduate level in a wide range of subjects, film, national heritage, art with medicine, art and psychotherapy, art and science, teacher training and fine art.

Course structure

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

To help you make an informed decision, you can have a look at how marks have been calculated and study time has been distributed on this course in the past.

Year 1 serves as an introduction and diagnostic approach to visual communication though a programme that includes drawing and image making developed through varied media processes and visual technologies. All practical work is project-led providing a menu of initiatives that test your imagination and help you build knowledge and skills. You will gain understanding in visual culture and your views on many aspects of art and image-making will expand and become more informed through your learning and research. You will learn how to analyse and deconstruct images, especially in the media and advertising and you will be able to create your own work in a more informed and sophisticated way.

Subjects of study include:

Introduction to contemporary Art and Visual Culture (theory)

Introduction to Image Media (theory)

Figure drawing. (course option practice – figure drawing from observation in the studio and on location)

Visual Communication – Development and Production (project led practice in image-making)

Credit Level 4

You will now be expanding and deepening your understanding in visual culture and applied image-making through a menu of industry led and personally defined research initiatives, national and international student competitions and set projects. This year of study has the most flexibility where you can take elective or optional study modules in both semesters or undertake study abroad. This is a period of research, in-depth exploration of visual languages and methodologies in image-making and design. You will be beginning to tailor your own direction in the topics you choose and the media through which you develop your practice. In theoretical studies you will be examining visual culture in greater depth and scrutiny leading into choosing a topic for your dissertation.

You will be able to choose up to 2 Westminster elective modules or course optional modules.

Visual Communication: Contextualisation and Enterprise (project led practice that encourages image-making in context with the environment, society and contemporary culture. This module includes participation in national and international student competitions and external enterprise)

Visual Communication: Research and Synthesis (theoretical studies that includes lectures in contemporary critical debate within visual culture and leads into research and preparing an essay question and bibliography for your dissertation)

Credit Level 5

You will now be preparing your portfolio for entering the workplace or to continue with your research and studies at post-graduate level. This final year is focused on the culmination of your learning and the encouragement to produce work that defines your own direction and approach.

The Major Project and Dissertation modules help you to professionalise your practice and provide a final period of in-depth study. The two elective modules are designed to reflect vocational professional development or academic research and a personal practice that is less market driven. At this point teaching is principally guidance and advice on personal and professional development. As part of this industry launch, the course offers an exhibition for your degree show in London Gallery West, and as part of D&AD New Blood exhibition in Truman Brewery.

Research Informed Practice (course option for students whose practice is not vocationally driven and require time for deeper research and visual inquiry. This would apply for students continuing with post-graduate study, whose practice is more within the remit of film or fine art or intend to enter teacher training courses)

Professional Engagement and Enterprise (course option with a specific image-making and illustration industry focus for students who intend to work professionally in this sector of the creative industries)

Visual Communication: Major Project (an intense and extended period in which to develop practical work)

Credit Level 6

Westminster Plus Electives

As part of your course you may be able to take elective modules. Electives are an exciting opportunity to widen your experience at university and to gain skills and knowledge that will help make you more employable.

Programme Specification

Course Leader

Assistant Head of School

My background in fine art at the Royal Academy Schools focused my practice in painting and notably drawing. After a year in Australia and participating in a major exhibition in Melbourne I returned to the UK and commenced teaching at Westminster initially as a drawing and illustration tutor and then in my current role as course leader of Illustration and Visual Communication. I am currently designing pathways in drawing that seek new practices and synergies between sound, film and digital environments.

I believe passionately in the value of art education as a vehicle to become aware in a visual and creative sense where learning through practice and diagnostic experimentation enables a student to acquire a toolbox of visual skills and understanding. These can be applied flexibly in employments and professional contexts across a wide spectrum of our visually dominated culture, as well as providing life-long creative and personal fulfilment.

I believe passionately in the value of art education as a vehicle to become aware in a visual and creative sense.

Careers

Working in this sector is challenging but also highly varied and rewarding creatively and financially. Work in this applied field of the creative arts is normally through commission. Artists often combine employment and self-employment, doing commissioned work and creative work for agencies.

Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

With a growing network of over 3,000 employers around the world and a team of experienced careers consultants, we provide you with a variety of opportunities to work and develop new skills. As a University of Westminster student, you’ll have access to our services throughout your studies and after you graduate.

Facilities

The course provides dedicated studio accommodation for each cohort with both collaborative and individual workspace.

Studios are equipped with computers, photocopiers, printers and scanners for IT and digital production. The studios are open 5 days a week, 8am–8pm with some studios and the campus library open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additional costs

Course Location

The vibrant home of Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design, the Harrow Campus offers one of the richest portfolios of creative industry research and learning in Europe. The recent redevelopment of the campus has seen the creation of fluid, informal learning spaces, dedicated project and gallery spaces and a revamped library. For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.